Radiator cleaning device



Sept. -'1, 1964 E. 1.. BRADY 3,146,952

RADIATOR CLEANING DEVICE Filed Sept. 27, 1962 69 ATTORNEYS United StatesPatent 3,146,952 RADIATOR CLEANING DEVICE Edward L. Brady, 9813 AberdeenRoad, Prairie Village, Kans. Filed Sept. 27, 1962, Ser. No. 226,580 3Claims. (Cl. 239-415) This invention relates to fluid dischargingcleaning devices, and more particularly to devices of this character fordislodging and expelling debris irom radiators and the like.

Heat transferring devices such as radiators are commonly formed with agreat number of small air receiving passageways to provide large areasof heat transfer surface in a relatively small space. Such passageways,and particularly those found in automobile radiators, tend to clog withair and water cam'ed debris after more or less extended periods ofoperation resulting in reduced effectiveness. Cleaning the radiators haspresented serious problems. It is usually necessary to direct cleaningfluid streams in the reverse direction to normal air flow and adjacentfan blades or other equipment render access d-ifiicult to the inner sideof the radiator. In addition, high velocity liquid streams are usuallyrequired for dislodging caked particles deep within the radiator and therequired fluid pressure is generally not available without the use ofcomplex auxiliary pumping or pressurizing equipment. Compressed thoughcommonly available under relatively high pressures, tends to maintainthe debris in a dry, caked condition which severely limits theusefulness thereof for cleaning. Attempts to overcome these diflicultieshave taken at least two major forms. It has been the practice to soakthe radiator by directing a stream of water therethrough and then usinghigh pressure air to dislodge the debris softened by the liquid. Thishas often been unsatisfactory because the air, when reduced toatmospheric pressure, becomes extremely dry and quickly dries out thedebris which is not immediately dislodged. The other major procedure hasbeen to use wet steam directed from a nozzle secured to .an elongatedpipe or the like. This generally produces good results; however, thehigh heat involved is often harmful to the radiator or adjacentequipment and is dangerous to personnel, besides requiring boilers andassociated pressure-regulating equipment.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide aradiator cleaning device which mixes compressed air at commonlyavailable high pressure with water under common tap pressure forincreasing the velocity and, therefore, cleaning power of the water; to

provide such a device which directs a combined air-water stream into aradiator with high clean-ing force; to provide such cleaning apparatuswherein turbulence or energy loss is maintained at a minimum therewithinfor obtaining the maximum force or velocity from the cleaning stream; toprovide such a device having a nozzle member which is easily insertedbetween the rear side of a radiator and adjacent equipment such as fanblades in order that a reverse flow may be maintained through theradiator passageways; to provide such apparatus wherein relatively widecleaning paths are produced for fast efficient cleaning; to provide aradiator cleaning device having a single control lever whereby .apro-soaking with water only may be obtained immediately prior toproducing the high velocity cleaning stream; to provide such a devicewherein high pressure air is so directed against flowing water that highvelocity water particles are produced for eflicient cleaning rather thanan ineffective foam; and to provide such apparatus which is simple andrugged in construction, reliable in use and well adapted for itsintended purpose.

3,146,952 Patented Sept. 1., 1964 ice Other objects and advantages ofthis invention will become apparent from the following description takenin connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth byway of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a cleaning devicefor radiators embodying this invention and showing a nozzle memberthereof in position for directing a cleaning stream through aschematically represented radiator.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional fragmentary view on an enlarged scalethrough the cleaning device of FIG. 1 showing the internal constructionand parts thereof.

FIG. 3 is a crosssectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line3-3, FIG. 2, showing the internal configuration of the nozzle member.

Referring to the drawings in more detail:

The reference numeral 1 generally indicates a device for cleaningradiators and the like, a radiator being depicted schematically at 2having air passageways 2' therethrough. The device 1, in the illustratedexample, includes a body member 3 connected by means of a flexible hose4 to a nozzle member 5.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the body member 3 is preferablycomposed of a corrosion-resistant material such as aluminum or stainlesssteel and has formed therein a first threaded inlet bore 6 receiving thethreaded connector 7 of a water supply hose 8 connected to any suitablesource of water under common commercial tap pressure. The body member -3also has formed therein a second threaded inlet bore 9 receiving thethreaded connector 10 of an air supply hose 11 connected to any suitablesource of compressed air such as those commonly available in automobileservice stations having pressures of between approximately to 300 poundsper square inch. The body member 3 also has formed therein a threadedoutlet bore 12 receiving a threaded connector 13 secured to one end 14of the flexible hose 4.

The body member 3 includes a first check valve chamber 15 communicatingwith the first inlet bore 6 and a second check valve chamber 16communicating with the second inlet bore 9. An elongated cylindricaloutlet chamber 17 communicates coaxially with the outlet bore 12. Anelongated tube 18 smaller in diameter than the outlet chamber 17 andextending coaxially therewithin is mounted, in the illustrated example,by press fitting adjacent an open inner end 19 thereof in a bore 20extend-ing coaxially of the outlet chamber 17 Within the body member 3.The sole support of the elongated tube 18 is by contact with the bodymember 3 in the bore 20 and the tube 18 forms with the outlet chamber 17coaxial elongated inner and outer ducts 21 and 22 respectively. The tube18 extends in cantilever fashion past the outlet bore 12 and opens atthe other or outer end 23 thereof into the flexible hose 4. Thisconfiguration reduces turbulence in flow through the hose 4 and alsoinhibits the tendency for the higher pressure air to cause the water toback up" or reverse flow toward its source.

A first passageway 24 is composed of a section 25 coaxial with the firstcheck valve chamber 15 and a second section 26 extending at right anglesto the section 25 but communicating therewith. The second section 26 ispreferably formed in the body member 3 by transverse boring through aside wall 27 thereof and then inserting a plug 28 to a depth adjacentthe first section 25 to avoid leakage from the body member 3. The secondsection 26 communicates with the open end 19 of the elongated tube 18.

A second passageway 29 is composed of a first section 30 extendingcoaxially with the second check valve chamber 16 and a second section 31communicating with the section 30 but extending transversely thereto andopening into the outlet chamber 17. In the illustrated example, thesecond section 31 is formed by boring into the body side wall 32opposite to the side wall 27 and a suitable plug 33 is inserted into theside wall 32 to prevent leakage from the body member 3. It is noted thatthe first passageway 24 communicates with the inner duct 21 and thesecond passageway 29 communicates with the outer duct 22.

Suitable check balls 34 and 35 are respectively con tained in the checkvalve chambers 15 and 16 and are adapted to seat against shoulders 36and 37 adjacent the passageways 24 and 29 for normally blocking flowthereinto from the hoses 8 and 11. Conventional sealing washers 38,check ball spacers 39 and/or check ball closure springs 40 may beprovided in the check valve chambers, if desired, for improving oraltering the check ball seating characteristics. A first elongated rod41 is longitudinally slidable in the body member 3, extends coaxiallywithin the passageway section 25 and normally abuts the check ball 34adjacent one end 42 thereof. A second elongated rod 43 is longitudinallyslidable in the body 3, extends coaxially within the passageway section30 and terminates at one end 44 thereof in normally abuttingrelationship with the check ball 35. The respective other ends 45 and 46extend externally of the body member 3 and suitable glands or seals 47maintained in place by packing nuts 48 prevent leakage therearound butpermit longitudinal sliding.

An elongated lever arm 49 is pivotally mounted at one end 50 thereof tooutwardly extending ears 51 integral with the body member 3 adjacent acorner 52 thereof. The lever arm 49 has a central opening 53therethrough through which the flexible hose 4 extends. The elongatedrod external ends 45 and 46 are located on oppo site sides of theflexible hose connector 13 and the elongated lever arm 49 is alignedwhereby it covers the two rod ends. Suitable push pads 54 are connectedto the underside of the lever arm 49 to provide protruding contactingsurfaces for the rod ends. The lever arm 49 bends at right angles toitself, forming a finger or thumbcontacting portion 55 which, when urgedtoward the side wall 32, causes an opening displacement of the checkballs 34 and 35 in a sequence now described. When the portion 55 is inthe position indicated at 56, both check balls are in the closedposition. When the contacting portion 55 moves to the position indicatedby the broken lines 57, the check ball 34 is urged away from the seat36, causing a flow of water into the passageway 24. When the portion 55is moved further to the position indicated by the broken lines 58, thecheck ball 35 is moved away from the shoulder 37 and air flows throughthe passageway 29. Note that in the illustrated structure water must beflowing before and during the flow of air.

The nozzle member comprises a jacket 59 and a core 60. The jacket 59 hasa passageway 61 threaded at one end 62 thereof for receiving a threadedconnector 63 secured to the other end 64 of the flexible hose 4. Thejacket 59 has an internal wall 59' forming a cylindrical chamber 65 openonly at one end 66 thereof and communicating tangentially with the otherend 67 of the jacket passageway 61.

The core 60 is fixed with respect to the jacket 59 by means of aprotrusion 68 press fitted into a coaxial bore 69 in the jacket 59 andhas a,,cylindrical stem portion 70 of substantially smaller diameterthan the cylindrical chamber 65. The stem portion 70 extends coaxiallywithin the chamber 65 and forms with the wall 59' a circular passageway71. The core 60 terminates in a cantilever supported expanding conicalportion 72 having a lip 73 of slightly smaller diameter than thecylindrical chamber forming wall 59' producing a circular slot 74therebetween. The chamber wall 59 extends past the lip 73 at 75 andterminates in a square edge or shoulder 76 spaced therefrom. The conicalportion 72 terminates in a bevel edge 77 facing the square edge 76. Thisconfiguration has been found to direct a smooth flow with littlespreading. The overall width of the nozzle member 5 is such that it iseasily inserted in the small space provided between a fan blade 78 andthe rear face of the radiator with the slot 74 facing in the directionof the radiator. The flexible hose 4 may be of a convenient length, forexample two to three feet.

In operation, the nozzle member 5 is placed against the radiator 2 withone hand (not shown) as the other hand 79 holds the body member 3, asillustrated in FIG. 1. A finger or thumb 80 is rested on the leverportion 55 and the lever is urged to the position 57. This causes awater flow through the passageway 24, through the inner duct 21 and intothe flexible hose 4 in a solid stream which, it is believed,substantially maintains its integrity into the chamber 65. The waterflows smoothly in a circular path within the chamber 65 and is urgedfrom the slot 74 in a smooth cylindrical pattern 81 which covers areasonably large path with a small quantity of liquid. If desired,several passes may be made over the radiator to completely soak thedebris contained therein.

The portion 55 is then urged to the position indicated at 58 whichcauses air to flow through the passageway 29, through the outer duct 22and into the hose 4, it is believed, without substantially disturbingthe flow of liquid therethrough from the elongated tube 18. The airmixes with the water in the chamber 65 in such a manner that the wateris accelerated and forced from the slot 74 in the form of high velocitywater particles which forcefully dislodge the debris in the radiator.

Turbulence within the device 1 is maintained at a minimum so that amaximum amount of the energy contained in the water and air istransferred to velocity in the expelled water particles. Thus,sufficient energy is generally available for eflicient cleaning withoutthe need for specialized high pressure equipment.

It is to be understood that while one form of this invention has beenillustrated and described, it is not to be limited to the specific formor arrangement of parts herein described and shown except insofar assuch limitations are included in the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for cleaning radiators and the like comprising:

(a) a body and a nozzle member,

(b) said body having a first receiving means for connecting a pressuredwater supply hose and a second receiving means for connecting a highpressure air supply hose,

(c) said body forming an elongated cylindrical outlet chamber, a lengthof flexible hose secured to said body and communicating between saidoutlet chamber and said nozzle member, said hose forming a coaxialextension to said outlet chamber adjacent said body,

(d) an elongated straight tube smaller in width than said outlet chamberand having oppositely directed first and second open ends, meanssupporting said tube at said second end extending coaxially within saidoutlet chamber and forming therewith elongated coaxial inner and outerducts,

(c) said tube first end extending coaxially beyond said outlet chamberinto said hose, a first passageway in said body communicating betweensaid first means and said tube second end, and a second passageway insaid body communicating between said second means and said outletchamber adjacent said first end,

(f) whereby inner water flow and outer air flow are coaxially separatedwhen entering said hose for reducing turbulence loss to said nozzlemember.

2. A nozzle member for discharging an air and water mixture comprising:

(a) a jacket and a core,

(b) said jacket having a passageway with opposite open ends, means atone of said passageway ends for connection to a source of air and waterunder pressure,

(0) said jacket having an internalcylindrical wall forming a cylindricalchamber open at only one end thereof and communicating tangentiallythrough said wall with the other of said passageway ends,

(d) said core being fixed with respect to said jacket and having acentral stem portion of substantially smaller width than said chamberand extending longitudinally therewithin forming a circular passagewayin said chamber,

(e) said core terminating in a portion expanding in width from saidstern portion, said expanding portion having a lip of slightly smallersize than said cylindrical chamber forming wall forming a circular slottherewith near said cylindrical chamber open end,

(f) whereby air and water entering said means are discharged from saidslot with little friction lost.

3. A nozzle member for discharging air and water mixture comprising:

(a) a jacket and a core,

(b) said jacket having a passageway with opposite open ends, means atone of said passageway open ends for connection to a source of air andwater under pressure,

(0) said jacket having an internal cylindrical wall forming acylindrical chamber open at only one end thereof and communicatingtangentially through said wall with the other of said passageway ends,said core being fixed with respect to said jacket and having acylindrical stem portion of substantially smaller diameter than saidcylindrical chamber and extending coaxially therewithin forming acircular passageway in said cylindrical chamber,

(d) said core terminating in a conical portion expanding from said sternportion, said conical portion having a lip of slightly smaller diameterthan said cylindrical chamber forming wall forming a circular slottherewith near said cylindrical chamber open end. said cylindricalchamber wall extending past said lip and terminating in a square inneredge, said conical portion terminating in a bevel edge facing saidchamber wall square edge,

(e) whereby air and water entering said means are discharged from saidslot with little spread and friction loss.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,374Mann Dec. 15, 1843 1,045,242 Wright Nov. 26, 1912 1,268,232 Furman June4, 1918 1,981,704 Moore Nov. 20, 1934 2,130,629 Clayton Sept. 20, 19382,499,084 Bahnson Feb. 28, 1950 2,593,080 Wilkey Apr. 15, 1952 2,635,010Sanders et a1 Apr. 14, 1953 2,639,908 Graham May 26, 1953 2,707,624Shames et a1 May 3, 1955 2,717,806 Dale Sept. 13, 1955 2,858,120 GoodrieOct. 28, 1958 2,953,305 Bondurant Sept. 20, 1960 3,042,315 Besser July3, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 75,702 Netherlands Aug. 16, 1954 419,541 GreatBritain Nov. 14, 1934

1. A DEVICE FOR CLEANING RADIATORS AND THE LIKE COMPRISING: (A) A BODYAND A NOZZLE MEMBER, (B) SAID BODY HAVING A FIRST RECEIVING MEANS FORCONNECTING A PRESSURED WATER SUPPLY HOSE AND A SECOND RECEIVING MEANSFOR CONNECTING A HIGH PRESSURE AIR SUPPLY HOSE, (C) SAID BODY FORMING ANELONGATED CYLINDRICAL OUTLET CHAMBER, A LENGTH OF FLEXIBLE HOSE SECUREDTO SAID BODY AND COMMUNICATING BETWEEN SAID OUTLET CHAMBER AND SAIDNOZZLE MEMBER, SAID HOSE FORMING A COAXIAL EXTENSION TO SAID OUTLETCHAMBER ADJACENT SAID BODY, (D) AN ELONGATED STRAIGHT TUBE SMALLER INWIDTH THAN SAID OUTLET CHAMBER AND HAVING OPPOSITELY DIRECTED FIRST ANDSECOND OPEN ENDS, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID TUBE AT SAID SECOND ENDEXTENDING COAXIALLY WITHIN SAID OUTLET CHAMBER AND FORMING THEREWITHELONGATED COAXIAL INNER AND OUTER DUCTS, (E) SAID TUBE FIRST ENDEXTENDING COAXIALLY BEYOND SAID OUTLET CHAMBER INTO SAID HOSE, A FIRSTPASSAGEWAY IN SAID BODY COMMUNICATING BETWEEN SAID FIRST MEANS AND SAIDTUBE SECOND END, AND A SECOND PASSAGEWAY IN SAID BODY COMMUNICATINGBETWEEN SAID SECOND MEANS AND SAID OUTLET CHAMBER ADJACENT SAID FIRSTEND, (F) WHEREBY INNER WATER FLOW AND OUTER AIR FLOW ARE COAXIALLYSEPERATED WHEN ENTERING SAID HOSE FOR REDUCING TURBULENCE LOSS TO SAIDNOZZLE MEMBER.